Patent EA-000446-B1 (EA)
Title: A clutch arrangement especially for yarn supply apparatuses therefor
Inventor: SCHMODDE HERMANN
IPC: B65H51/32
Filed: 1998-06-18
Abstract: 1. A clutch arrangement (30), especially for yarn supply apparatuses, with at least one first clutch half (12a), which is mounted rotatably and connected with a drive means (34) and which is provided with a first interengaging clutch element (38), with a second clutch half (15a), which is mounted rotatably, concentrically with the first clutch half (12a), and connected with a drive means (6) and which is provided with a second interengaging clutch element (44), at least one of the clutch halves (15a) being mounted axially movably, so that it can be moved to and from the respective other clutch half (12a), in order to engage and disengage the clutch elements (38, 44), characterized in that the clutch halves (12a, 15a) are constructed such that, in the engaged condition, an open fluff space (70, 71) remains between the faces of the clutch halves (12a, 15a) provided on the clutch elements (38, 44) or adjacent thereto, the said faces being moved toward each other during the engagement process and being accessible to fluff deposition, in both the engaged and disengaged condition the said space being in communication with the surroundings or with a larger collection space (37) separated from the surroundings. 2. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the open fluff space (70, 71) is bounded in axial direction by the faces of the clutch halves (12a, 15a) moving to and from each other and is open in radial direction. 3. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the axial movement of the axially movable clutch half (15a) is limited by at least one stop means (46), which is connected with the clutch half (15a) and in the engaged condition bears on a corresponding abutment (35) connected to the other clutch half (12a). 4. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 3, characterized in that the stop means (46) is at least one radially outwardly disposed face, which after engagement of the clutch halves (12a, 15a) bears on an associated face forming the abutment and which blocks further axial movement of the clutch halves (12a, 15a). 5. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 4, characterized in that the stop means (46) and the abutment (35) are annular faces. 6. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 4, characterized in that the stop means (46) and the abutment (35) when in fully engaged condition at the most close off the collection space (37) to the environment in radial direction. 7. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the clutch elements (38) are free-standing, axially directed fingers. 8. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 7, characterized in that the second clutch element (44) is formed by axially disposed slots. 9. A clutch arrangement according to Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that, when the fingers (38) are in coupled condition, only a radially inner or outer zone thereof is engaged with the slots (44). 10. A clutch arrangement according to Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the coupling arrangement (30) is constructed such that, when the fingers (38) are in coupled condition, they are engaged with the slots (44) over a length shorter than the length of the slots (44). 11. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the clutch elements (38) are disposed in a collection space (37) which is closed radially to the outside and which in coupled condition is bounded in axial direction by the clutch halves (12a, 15a). 12. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the free-standing clutch elements (38) are rounded at their ends facing the other clutch half (15). 13. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 12, characterized in that the free-standing clutch elements (38) are chamfered, rounded or tapered at their sides facing away from the associated clutch elements (44). 14. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 6, characterized in that the free-standing clutch elements (38) have a triangular cross section. 15. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 14, characterized in that the clutch elements (44) provided to accommodate the clutch elements (38) are triangular slots. 16. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the clutch elements provided to accommodate the clutch elements (38) are formed by a toothing (44). 17. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the clutch elements (38) are disposed at distances from each other that are longer than the width of each clutch element (38) measured in circumferential direction. 18. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the axially slidable clutch half (15) can be secured axially in its axial position with a fixing arrangement (51), at least in coupled position and in disengaged position. 19. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 18, characterized in that the fixing arrangement (51, 61) is provided with at least one tongue formed on one clutch half (15), the said tongue extending in axial direction and being supported in radial direction by spring action. 20. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 19, characterized in that the tongue is constructed as a relief-cut segment of a hub (41). 21. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 18, characterized in that the fixing arrangement (51, 61) is a latching arrangement. 22. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the clutch halves (12, 15) are mounted rotatably relative to each other by means of at least one rolling bearing (9) and in that the rolling bearing (9) is sealed with respect to the clutch elements (38, 44) and is provided with an absorbing means (66, 67) for lubricant that may nevertheless seep out. 23. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 22, characterized in that the rolling bearing (9) is seated with its inner ring on a shaft (6) functioning preferably as a driven means and carrying one of the clutch elements (15), its outer ring carrying the other clutch half (12), and in that the rolling bearing (12) is sealed by means of a felt washer (67), which is clamped between the inner ring of the rolling bearing (9) and at least one profiled piece (57) seated on the shaft (6), on which piece one of the clutch halves (15) is slidingly mounted. 24. A clutch arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the clutch arrangement (30) consists of plastic parts.